Nectarine tree named ‘0322E82NB’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree denominated ‘0322E82NB’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a light red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘0322E82NB’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica., which has been given the variety denomination ‘0322E82NB’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruits with a slightly red pigmentation for fresh market mid-October in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘0322E82NB’ white nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘0322E82NB’ variety results from a pollinated cross between a white nectarine tree named 05.04.01NB ASF0635 (not patented) which was used as a seed parent and the ‘NECTARDREAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,420) white nectarine tree which was used as the pollen parent.

‘0322E82NB’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.22E.82.10.

The ‘0322E82NB’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘0322E82NB’ white nectarine tree blooms mid-March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, in 2011, it bloomed between 10th and 19th of March, in 2012 between March 26th and April 4th. The blooming period is considered late to very late. However, it was observed that its late date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘0322E82NB’ ripens generally in the beginning or middle of October. More particularly, it usually ripens between October 7th and October 12th. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘0322E82NB’ at ripening time.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the stone of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘0322E82NB’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered late to very late; flowering begins at the middle of March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is greenish white generally with a slightly red pigmentation into and in a star shape around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous and homogenous red purple blush on a light red cream background. The stone is clingstone and its size is medium to large. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARDUCHESSE’ variety (not patented), ‘0322E82NB’ variety blooms 6 days later and the fruits of ‘0322E82NB’ variety ripen 15 days later than ‘NECTARDUCHESSE’ fruits. The maturity of ‘0322E82NB’ variety is considered late.

The fruit color of the new ‘0322E82NB’ variety is more purple red on 80 to 85 percent of the skin, on a light red background, whereas ‘NECTARDUCHESSE’ fruits are colored in a pink red on 50 to 70 percent of the skin, on a cream background.

Compared to ‘NECTARDREAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,420) variety, which is the male parent, ‘0322E82NB’ variety blooms 13 days after. Moreover, the fruits of ‘0322E82NB’ variety ripen approximately 75 days later than the fruits of ‘NECTARDREAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,420). Both ‘NECTARDREAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,420) and ‘0322E82NB’ varieties produce fruits with a semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic flavour.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduces to 250             cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered strong. -   Productivity: Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit set is     spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired     market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the     prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed     during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the     present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘0322E82NB’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as     −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant to     frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 10.0 and 11.0 centimeters in     diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20 centimeters     above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 2 or 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from     approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters in width, and about 2.0     millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed     Orange 166 B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 B to     201 C) similar to the outside of lenticels color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium for the variety. The length of mature branches is between     70.0 and 100 centimeters. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters,     and mature branches have a diameter from 25.0 to 30.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80 degrees from     the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Internode length.—Generally between 20.0 and 28.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199             A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered             yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in             brown-purple to red purple (RHS Greyed Red 182 B to RHS             Greyed Red 182 C), depending on the level on the tip.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 3.98. -   Leaf length: Approximately 186.0 to 225.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. The medium length is about 200 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 45.0 to 57.0 millimeters. The medium width     is 50.3 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Lanceolate, lance-shaped. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Short, pointed and acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146A) than             the upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Both upper and lower leaf surfaces are considered.     Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green             145D). The color may evolve with maturity. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Leaf margins are considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to small.         -   Length.—About 9.0 to about 11.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 2.0 millimeters. -   Petioles color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small to medium. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 or 3 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS             Grey Brown 199 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 9.0             millimeters wide and approximately 19.0 to 20.0 millimeters             long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or             RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A). The corolla, formed by the             petals, is generally of medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65             A to Red Purple 65 B to Red Purple 65 C). Petals color shows             an evolution until the end of flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins at the end of     February or early in March. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 21,     2003. -   Blooming time: Considered late to very late in relative comparison     to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed generally at the middle of the blooming period. The date of     bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural     practices. Thus the full bloom was observed in 2011, from Mar. 10     until Mar. 19 and from Mar. 26 until Apr. 4 in 2012. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 10 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 34.0 to 40.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately between 30 and 35     flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit     set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth, soft and glabrous. -   Petal color: Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a medium     Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 C) when young,     becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Sweet. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,             narrow at the base.         -   Length.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.0 millimeter at the base.         -   Color.—Purple red (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73             C). -   Petal margins: Generally considered wavy, sinuate. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally round-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to large and having an average             length of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters.         -   Color.—Brown or light brown (RHS N199 C or RHS N 199 D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS             Yellow Group 13 A to RHS Yellow Group 13 B or RHS Yellow             Green 150 A to RHS Yellow Green 150 B). The outer surface of             the calyx is considered of purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple             183 A) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Average.         -   Length.—Between 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Between 4.0 and 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Oval.         -   Color.—Both sides of sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey             Purple 187 B). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 42 stamens     per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small or medium in length.         -   Color.—At an early stage of maturity, anthers are colored             with an orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow             Orange 16 B) or an orange red to red color (RHS Red Group N             34 A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve             with maturity to turn in a yellow color. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a orange yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange 17 C)     which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered     auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Pollination: Pollen is abundant and autofertil, good compatibility     in controlled hybridization. -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 11.0 and 17.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally the same or slightly             higher than the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N 155 D) or red purple             (RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color             becomes darker during the blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly             smaller.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group             151 D). The color evolves during the blooming, becoming more             light (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D) and sometimes very             slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36D).         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm in ripe conditions (shipping     ripe). -   Date of first picking: Oct. 7, 2010. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘0322E82NB’ variety has a late     date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped     within 10 days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs.     Last known picking times carry on Oct. 7 to Oct 12, 2010, then Sep.     15 to Sep. 22, 2011, on Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, 2012, on Oct. 2 to Oct.     9, 2013. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Considered large to very             large. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 73.0 to 77.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 68.0 to 72.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 200.0 to 220.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. -   Suture: -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed.     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187             A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, small and generally slightly depressed. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 15.0 to 18.0     millimeters. Average width is about 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers 80% to 85%             of the fruit skin surface on a light or washed red             background (RHS Orange Red N34 A) on approximately 10% of             the fruit skin surface. A small surface of the fruit skin,             approximately 5%, is colored in yellow green (RHS Yellow             Green 150 D). The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 10% of             the fruit skin surface, and is considered light or washed             red (RHS Orange Red N34 A). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic and with a             high level of sugars.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 15 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100             ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 15.0 to 17.0 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White 157 C) usually a             slightly red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A) into the stone             cavity and in a star shape around the stone cavity.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit     maturity. -   Size: Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone size     varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 29.0 to 31 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 24.0 to 26.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight, large and flattened. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is slanting, short, pointed. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an ovate-form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered very prominent, and having a dimension of             approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165     B). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is very low or absent, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium to large.         -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange-brown colored (RHS Greyed             Orange N167 A to RHS Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond,             which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B)             and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and its embryo are             mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘0322E82NB’ is considered to be a white     nectarine tree of the very late season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with     a very luminous purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new white     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a light red background. 